Living well in the urban village

A Foodie Adventure

A couple of months ago, my young friend Rory, who takes great pains to keep me up to date with all that is cool and hip in the 21st century (including not using the words “cool” and “hip”), tried to explain to to me what a “homegirl” was.

I’m still not quite sure I understand, but what I am certain of is that if I did have a “homegirl”, it would be Allison. We don’t see each other as often as either of us would like, but when we do, it’s always for a food adventure. And it can’t be expensive, high-end restaurant dining – we’ve tried that and always ended up disappointed. Instead, it has to involve ferreting around for treasure in little suburban stores, finding new and exciting cuisines that we haven’t tried before.

On our most recent day out, we started in Homebush West (formerly Flemington) at the recently opened Hometown Hand Made Noodle Restaurant (97 The Crescent, Homebush West). Their house special – the Xi’an Cold Noodle dish – was delicious and set us back just $7.80. The noodles were chewy and handcut, and the sauce was spicy and sour. It was an auspicious start to a great day…

The Special Pan Fried Pork Dumplings were a huge serve of 15 pieces for $10.80. Al declared them to be the best dumplings she’d ever eaten…

If you’re in the area and feeling adventurous, pop in and try this place out. They’re closed on Tuesdays…

From there, we wandered around the corner to the Viet Hoa Fish Market. Since discovering this place, I’ve almost completely stopped going to the Sydney Fish Markets in town. Their stock is always fresh (often live) and interesting, and the prices are very reasonable. Cash only though!

On a tip from my mate Jay, we asked about the live eels they keep at the back of the store. I’d never cooked eel before, so I bought one ($20/kg) which they killed and filleted for me. Packed with a bag of ice, we stashed it in the boot of Al’s car and kept going (be warned, there’s a freaky end to this story coming up…)

From Flemington, I persuaded Al to come with me to Petersham on the promise of Portuguese tarts. First stop was Charlie’s Deli – an old established store on the main strip. I love this shop, because whilst it’s quite sparsely stocked, every single item on offer is unusual and interesting. I’ve bought ceramics there in the past but this time I came home with imported Portuguese chicken seasoning mix.

By the way, the blue slabs in the photo below that look like Play Doh? They’re laundry soap…

The promised Portuguese tarts were scoffed with coffee at the Honeymoon Bakery. We prefer these to the ones sold at the more famous Sweet Belem across the road, and at $2 each, the price is hard to beat. We both bought a box to take home for the kids…

We ended our day with a visit to the intriguing Petersham Liquor Mart. Where else can you find Serbian plum brandy in Sydney?

. . . . .

Al went home with amazing beef ribs from the Portuguese butcher, but I still had my eel to tackle. Lovely Ania suggested I cut the fillet into pieces and then simply flour and fry them in butter. Sounds simple right?

Well, it was, except that no-one warned me that eels have very primitive nervous systems and can continue to spasm even after they’re long dead and dissected. Warning! Warning! Don’t click on the video below if you’re squeamish!!

This video was taken four hours after the eel had been killed. Pete pointed out that it was only happening as it warmed up, so hopefully it didn’t do this the whole time it was in the boot of Al’s car. The sound is off so you don’t have to listen to me screaming…

It was, without doubt, the best eel I’d ever eaten, but Pete had to fry them for me, as I couldn’t touch them again…

As always Celia, a very entertaining post… I always get a laugh. Living in Taiwan I forget how much things used to cost. Whilst the price of the noodles and Eel are excellent for in and around Sydney, they made my eyes water when compared to my market and restaurant prices for the same items… However, the price of milk at $6 litre, cheese at $48 kg and coffee floor sweepings at $75 kg there is room for improvement.

Funny coincidence, just came over to read your post from my daughter Allison’s website. It took me a split second to realise your ‘homegirl’ was not my daughter, that I had switched realms. The Portuguese tarts are just impossible for me to resist so I must not go near one for a while…food sensitivity problems big time at the moment… it could be worse. Enjoy it for me Celia!

Please have a blog follower meet up at one of your marvellous spots. I am sure you would have a house full. Myman and I will try your noodle place but not sure if I could cope with a ‘nightwalker’ eel ……game of thrones fish shop in the flesh.

What a lovely adventure! I had eel when I was in New Zealand. An amazing experience as we went eeling and then ate the “catch”. I well remember the flesh pulsating like you described! 😊😊 But it was a great tasting meal!

When I was a child in East London in 1960’s my nana used to take me to Walthamstow street market we would buy live eels which lived in stainless steel trays and ice and once gutted etc we would take them home they would twitch when she salted them and they would be stewed and served with mash, fresh parsley sauce and vinegar. I still have the blue bowl she served it in 50 years later. You brought back happy memories Celia